Scholarship Helps NSU Student Pursue Dream Of Helping Fellow Oklahomans With Special Needs

The Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa awarded a Northeastern State University student $12,000 to work toward her dream of helping kids with special needs.

Alaine Lambert or 'Lainey' is a senior at the university, close to finishing her degree in education. She said, as someone who's navigated life with special needs, she wants to help make other kids' journeys a little easier.

The scholarship puts Lambert one step closer to her goal.

“After I graduate, I want to be in Special Education," Lambert said.

She's already proven to be a valuable resource as a tutor for other special needs students at Northeastern State University. She guides them on how to use school technology, helps them work through their assignments and helps with personal health.

On top of schoolwork and tutoring, Lambert is also a special education intern at a local middle school.

Board President of the Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa, Garrett Lee, said the association wants to highlight people like Lambert who work hard to lift others up.

“It’s extremely valuable to have someone like Lainey helping others who may need to do things a certain different way and so she speaks from that firsthand experience,” Lee said. “I think she’s going to be a huge resource for others with developmental disabilities and just helping them navigate through their individual journey. She can be a guide for them, she can just be an extremely valuable friend to them.”